I work in a school with a mixed population of students that come in everyday smiling, ready for a day or learning and looking at me like I hung the moon. Some may have not gotten a single hug since I saw them last, some that have parents that know why investing in their kids is so important and some that have seen more negative in their short life than I have. My goal everyday is to make a difference in their life, not just academically but personally. If my kids leave my second grade class with nothing but knowing that I love them, then I have succeeded.
With all of that said, my next goal is to grow my kids, to make them successful and to know how much they deserve in life.
I want my kids to come in excited to learn and confident that they have the support they need. I am so honored to look my kids in the face everyday. They all have a little piece of my heart!
My Project
By second grade, sometimes we forget that these students are still just kids. Expectations are so high and students don't always get the time to just imagine. Imagination is so important in growing their minds and creating lifelong learners. I am requesting manipulatives to help students create things with their hands. We will use these for STEM projects, during hands on math to help students visually understand math, and morning tubs where my students come in and get their mind turning first thing in the morning. Each manipulative is different and can be connected and built in different ways.
Putting concrete things in their hands and allowing them to create using their imaginations can push the students to think outside the box.
This then transfers over into academic areas of learning and pushes students to do more than they think they can. We ask them to read, write and do lots of math but don't give them time to "play."
Giving them time to build things, work with other students and not give them a specific task to complete helps to allow them to think on their own, a skill that is sometimes lost. We as teachers have so many things to teach and check off of our list that students aren't allowed to play and create to learn as much as they need.
I would use these materials to give students some freedom to create. We do a lot of STEM projects in our room and I like to give students materials and see where their imaginations can go. After they create, I would challenge them to connect this to their learning, either through math, science or even writing. When we make things hands on, learning occurs.
Popular Playthings Playstix (150 pieces)
• Amazon Business
$21.83
1
$21.83
Clip Connect 100 Pieces | Diameter of 1.5 Inches | Interlocking Solid Plastic Building Blocks Discs Set STEM Educational Toy for Preschool Kids Boys and Girls | Safe Material for Kids
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
Materials cost
$222.26
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.33
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$255.59
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$45.10
Total project goal
$300.69
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$300.69
1 Donor
-$300.69
Donations toward project cost
-$255.59
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Sparks and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
